Dress Buyer - Misses, Petites and Women's

Job Location: Jacksonville, FL Status: Full Time, Employee Job Category: Sales/Retail/Business Development Dress Buyer - Misses, Petites and Women's Stein Mart is currently seeking a seasoned, creative, enthusiastic and friendly individual to join our Merchandising team as Buyer for Misses, Petites and Women’s dresses.  This position is located at our Corporate headquarters in Jacksonville, FL on the south bank of the St. Johns river.  The Jacksonville area is a favored  warm climate community that offers something for everyone, including the Atlantic ocean, beaches and river activities, the arts and music, professional and collegiate sports, a wealth of history, and proximity to points of interest in the southeast.    Primary Responsibilities · Identify, select and purchase merchandise; create final assortments designed to drive plan; work with vendors to develop items, perform item analysis, facilitate the merchandise ordering process; research merchandise lines to identify new opportunities· Partner with Planner to develop seasonal, department and class plans and exit strategies; review weekly stock-to- sales ratios and overall business at class level; work with Planner to review and update the open-to-buy; respond to changing sales trends; ensure departments achieve plan sales, plan turn, plan markups and plan markdowns.· Establish and maintain partnerships with vendors; perform vendor analysis, including sales analysis, turn analysis, operational analysis, implementation of rack ready and markdown analysis; negotiate effectively with vendors.· Partner with Division Merchandise Manager (DMM) to identify promotional and key item opportunities; work with Advertising to develop promotional strategies and material; develop seasonal advertising calendar supporting sales and margin objectives with input from DMM; facilitate the price change process, partnering with Planner to ensure purchases meet the Advertising Prep Guidelines. · Identify fashion trends; research fashion markets and media for dynamic new opportunities, shop competition to maintain a strategic advantage; identify and quickly react to trends, recognizing and incorporating company-wide direction and ideas as appropriate.  Qualifications · Bachelor’s Degree in Fashion Merchandising, Marketing, Business, or related field, and/or a minimum of 3-5 years applicable retail merchandising/buying experience with ladies dresses.· Demonstrated ability to “think outside the box” with a proven track record of forecasting trends and growing business.· Demonstrated success in identifying and targeting customers, and crafting assortment for customer base.· Strong verbal, written, negotiation, decision making, project management, collaboration/relationship building and retail math skills.· Demonstrated strong research and analytical skills; keen attention to detail and organization.· Demonstrated flexibility and ability to successfully adapt to change in a dynamic, fast paced work environment.· Computer skills to include proficiency in merchandising systems applications, word processing, spreadsheet and  e-mail applications.· Ability to travel 25% (i.e., for buying trips, vendor meetings, miscellaneous trade/industry events)  Our BenefitsIn addition to a dynamic and friendly work environment, where dedication and hard work are recognized and rewarded, and work/family balance is valued, Stein Mart also offers the following benefits:· Relocation Assistance· Generous Incentive Compensation Plan· Generous Associate Discount· Paid Holidays· Paid Vacation, Sick and Personal Days· Medical/Dental/Vision Plans· Short/Long-Term Disability Plans· 401(k) Retirement Plan· Employee Stock Purchase Plan· Flexible Spending Account· Life Insurance